The job interview in the Netherlands

Read about the company, its values, products and news, and review the job advert and your CV to link what they ask with what you offer.

• Prepare examples of your achievements in the STAR method: situation, task, action and result.
• Practise your answers aloud in Dutch or English depending on the job.
• Know the route and allow for traffic, since punctuality is a core value in the Netherlands, and if you are late call at once.
• Arrive five to ten minutes before the appointment.
• In online interviews test the camera and sound in advance and choose a quiet place.
• And tell the employer in advance if you need special arrangements.

Dutch people shake hands firmly and say their full name and often use first names even at work, so the interviewer may introduce himself by first name, and you address him with je or jij unless he asks otherwise, though the formal u is used in some sectors such as banking and law.

• Do not be surprised by the absence of titles.
• Dress depends on the company: a suit in banks, smart casual in tech and creative jobs, and clean and tidy in trades.
• When unsure ask, or dress a notch smarter than expected.
• If you do not shake hands for religious reasons say so kindly with a verbal greeting.

You will be asked about yourself, your experience and why the job and company interest you, your strengths and weaknesses, a difficult situation you solved, working in a team, disagreement with a colleague, and where you see yourself in five years.

• Answer with real examples, briefly and without exaggeration, since Dutch people value honesty and tangible results and doubt boasting.
• Do not be afraid to mention a real weakness and how you are working on it. Interviewers like to hear how you cooperate and accept feedback.
• If your Dutch is limited say so clearly and show that you are learning hard, and the interview may be held in English.

Salary is usually stated as gross (bruto) monthly or annually.

• Ask what it includes: holiday allowance (vakantiegeld) which is eight per cent of annual salary and often paid in May, an end-of-year bonus or thirteenth month, occupational pension (pensioen), travel allowance (reiskosten), leave days (often 25 to 30 days) and training courses.
• Prepare a reasonable figure after researching similar salaries, and state a range and not a single figure.
• Salary is not a forbidden subject in the interview, but do not start with it. And check that your salary is not below the legal minimum wage officially announced for the year.

At the end of the interview ask about daily tasks, the team, guidance in the first weeks, training opportunities and when you will hear the decision, since questions show your interest.

• Send a short thank-you message the same day.
• You may be asked for a skills test or a trial day (proefdag) or a second interview with the team.
• A trial day should be limited and may be unpaid only in short cases, otherwise it is work that must be paid.
• On an offer ask for a written contract, understand the probation period and negotiate politely on salary and leave, since negotiation is common and accepted but objective.
• And do not sign before reading the contract.

How are people usually addressed in Dutch interviews?